Can being in a traffic accident that nearly killed me with injuries to hands and elbows cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Answer 1

Answer

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture; overactivity of the pituitary gland; hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis; mechanical problems in the wrist joint; work stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools; fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause; or the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal. In some cases no cause can be identified.

There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities can result in repetitive motion disorders such as bursitis and tendonitis. Writer's cramp - a condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity - is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.

For more information on neurological disorders or research programs funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, contact the Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN) at:

BRAIN

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Information also is available from the following organizations:

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)

P.O. Box 850

Rocklin, CA 95677-0850

ACPA@pacbell.net

http://www.theacpa.org

Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231

Fax: 916-632-3208

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

31 Center Dr., Rm. 4C02 MSC 2350

Bethesda, MD 20892-2350

NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

http://www.niams.nih.gov

Tel: 301-496-8190 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1600 Clifton Road, N.E.

Atlanta, GA 30333

inquiry@cdc.gov

http://www.cdc.gov

Tel: 800-311-3435 404-639-3311/404-639-3543

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20210

http://www.osha.gov

Tel: 800-321-OSHA (-6742)

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/ American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons

6300 North River Road

Rosemont, IL 60018

hackett@aaos.org

http://www.aaos.org

Tel: 847-823-7186

Fax: 847-823-8125

American Society for Surgery of the Hand

6300 North River Road

Suite 600

Rosemont, Il 60018-4256

info@assh.org

www.assh.org

Tel: 847-384-8300

Fax: 847-384-1435